Gingerdead Man vs. Evil Bong

Director - Charles Band (Death Streamer, Corona Zombies)

Starring - John Patrick Jordan (Evil Bong, Dr. Moreau's House of Pain), Robin Sydney (Trophy Heads, Night of the Living Dead 3D: Re-Animation), and Sonny Carl Davis (Bad Channels, Fast Times at Ridgemont High)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "And hell rode with them"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I was really looking forward to this journey through the Gingerdead Man franchise.  I had watched them years ago but didn't remember shit about them.  This gave me a great opportunity to revisit them while catching up so I could watch Gingerdead Man vs. Evil Bong which was included in the same collection.  I'm a huge fan of the Evil Bong series and was really looking forward to this Full Moon crossover that I didn't know existed...or completely forgot about.

      The film follows Larnell (Jordan) who has opened a head shop after surviving several run ins with the Evil Bong E.B.  After a chance encounter with Rabbit, he leaves the shop to find a delicious cookie to sate his munchies where he meets shop owner Sarah Leigh (Sydney).  While he is out of the store, Rabbit goes snooping through his office where he finds the Evil Bong and takes a toke from her which sets her free.  To make matters worse, the Gingerdead Man has returned to try and kill Sarah Leigh again.

     Gingerdead Man vs Evil Bong isn't the best sequel or crossover I've seen but it's not as bad as it could have been.  This is probably the best looking film in the Gingerdead Man franchise but same quality the Evil Bong films had up to that point.  I wanted to love this one and while it's not the worst thing I've seen, it could have been a hell of a lot better.  The acting in this one is the most consistent of the series.  It's nice to see several familiar faces from Evil Bong and Robin Sydney performing a dual role reprising characters she portrayed in both series.  I really enjoyed the casting and I'm glad they went with an Evil Bong heavy casting instead of the Gingerdead Man.  The story for this one spends most of the film giving viewers flashbacks and recapping both series up to this point with only about 45 minutes of the film being new footage.  We then move on to the film mostly consisting of the characters from both series meeting each other or being reintroduced instead of the chaotic story we were expecting featuring a battle between the Gingerdead Man and E.B.  It's a cool film showing them both together but if you were expecting a high body count and a new direction for both series then you will be disappointed.  Finally, the film mostly does the deaths like the Evil Bong series where the smokers are sent to her world to die.  We get a few flashbacks with the kills we've seen before but the new deaths are nothing special or enjoyable.  Overall, Gingerdead Man vs Evil Bong isn't a bad film.  Hell, I enjoyed it but we don't need it and can do without it.  Check it out or don't, it's not really an important installment in the franchise.

The Profane Exhibit

Director(s) - Jeremy Kasten (The Dead Ones, Devil in the Details), Uwe Boll (House of the Dead, Rampage), Ruggero Deodato (Cannibal Holocause, Deathcember), Anthony DiBlasi (Last Shift, Malum), Marian Dora (Voyage to Agatis, Blight of Humanity), Ryan Nicholson (Torched, Gutterballs), Yoshihiro Nishimura (Tokyo Dragon Chef, Meatball Machine Kodoku), Sergio Stivaletti (The Wax Mask, Dogman's Rabies), and Nacho Vigalondo (V/H/S Viral, Collossal)

Starring - Christine Ahanotu (The Reunion, The Mojave Sisters), Didac Alcaraz (Trash Ninjas, Something Huge), and U. Bernard (Morbid Montage)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "There are no boundaries"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     For years I've heard talks about the extreme horror anthology The Profane Exhibit from genre fans who get off on films like August Underground and the Vomit Gore series.  At one point in time I wasn't interested at all in the project because these types of films don't appeal to me.  While I love gore and blood, most extreme horror flicks focus too much on gore and trying to be edgy instead of giving viewers a decent story.  However, that changed when I saw that director Ryan Nicholson was involved.  What films of his I had scene I thoroughly enjoyed.  I kept an eye on the project and after a few years it was evident that it found itself in distribution hell.  That was until recently when Stephen Biro announced that he was releasing the film, eleven years after completion, on blu and DVD.  I reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  I want to thank Unearthed and MVD for sending this one over!

     The film follows a group of the world's wealthiest and depraved who get together to tell stories that is not for the faint of heart.  These stories range from a serial rapist, an evil surgeon, a doctor who has turned his back on his oath, and many more.

     I went into The Profane Exhibit knowing absolutely nothing about it aside that it was meant to be an extreme anthology featuring some of the world's most popular underground filmmakers at the time.  I don't mind extreme horror if they have more to them than gore and "shocking" scenes.  The Profane Exhibit did have some solid enough stories but I still found myself very underwhelmed by a film that, honestly, was not as gruesome as I was expecting.  The acting in this one is actually very well done in every segment.  Typically, an anthology with segment from various filmmakers usually features inconsistent acting.  However, that is not the case here.  Each segment features some serious acting from various walks of life and experience.  I was honestly impressed in this regard.  The stories for this anthology are where the film lost me.  Some of them are extremely slow paced and dull while others are in your face and action packed.  Segments Mother May I?, Bridge, Tophet Quorom, Sins of the Father, and Mors in Tabula are extremely dull in my opinion and while they may showcase some great effects, the are unable to hold the viewer's attention with lack of storytelling.  On the other side of the same coin, segments Basement (from Uwe Boll of all people), Goodwife, and Manna are very enjoyable but you have to make it through the other segments to enjoy them.  Finally, this film has a lot fantastic practical effects.  While some of the segments use more blood and gore than others, they all have amazing looking effects that rivals anything you've seen before or since.  Overall, The Profane Exhibit had some amazing gore but the overall film was a huge let down.  I love Unearthed Films and can recommend dozens of other releases of theirs to check out but this is not one of them.  Skip it.  

     

Carrie

Director - Kimberly Peirce (Dear White People, I Love Dick)

Starring - Chloe Grace Moretz (Dark Shadows, Let Me In), Julianne Moore (Psycho, Hannibal), and Gabriella Wilde (Doctor Who, Wonder Woman 1984)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "You will know her name"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Stephen King has contributed a lot to the horror genre over the decades. His writing has influenced countless over the years, and it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. When you mention King's name while discussing cinema you will often hear mention of Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of The Shining, Silver Bullet, Sleepwalkers, Creepshow, Maximum Overdrive and so on. The film adaptations of his work are iconic but one film that I immediately think of when someone mentions King is the original adaptation of Carrie from Brian De Palma. I don't know why I immediately think of this version, but I do. Hell, it's not even my favorite Carrie film when it's all said and done. The '76 adaptation is an amazing horror film and so is the 2002 adaptation, But Carrie 2 has always been my favorite in the Carrie franchise. Back in 2013 Carrie was once again adapted into a film from King's original story and I paid it no mind until I heard that Chloe Grace Moretz was attached. I checked it out when it was released theatrically, and I remember liking it but I never revisited it since the original release. Honestly, I forgot about it until recently when Scream Factory announced that they were releasing the film on UHD. I decided it was the perfect time to revisit this one, so I reached out to my friends over at Scream Factory and they were kind enough to send a review copy my way. Like always, I want to thank SF for hooking me up! 

      The film follows the socially awkward Carrie (Moretz) who lives with her extremely religious and abusive mother. An incident in school when she starts her period results in a video being made of her in the moment of embarrassing panic. One of them is suspended from school and not allowed to go to prom so she puts a prank on motion with her boyfriend after learning that another girl had her boyfriend ask her to prom to make up laughing at her. This extremely hurtful prank results in Carries date being knocked unconscious and her covered in pig's blood while she was on stage being crowned prom queen. This sends Carrie over the edge when she starts using her newfound teleketic powers to kill everyone that's laughed at her. 

     I know my taste in films is odd, but I refuse to lie or say I like something that I truly don't. Carrie 2: The Rage is my favorite Carrie film closely followed by the original Carrie. While I didn't remember a damn thing about the 2013 Carrie, revisiting it was a lot of fun and placed it near the original in my opinion. It doesn't have the same tone or atmosphere that made the original so much fun but with a more modern spin to it. I honestly enjoyed it and I wish I had revisited it sometime before now. The acting in this one is great. As I stated earlier, I'm a big fan of Chloe Grace Moretz. She never disappoints and this may be my favorite performance from her. While most may be quick to toss up her performance as Hit-Girl from Kick-Ass, I would be more confident mentioning Carrie. She shows great range here going from a timid and bullied teen to a real-life monster with abilities. I also loved legendary actress Julianne Moore as her deeply religious and abusive mother. I was not expecting her in that role during my initial viewing and it still caught me off guard in this revisiting. She's such an amazing actress and seeing how she approached the role reminded me a lot of the devout older Christians in Appalachia where I grew up. The supporting cast is solid as well, but these two performances made the film for me. The story for this one follows the source material for the most part but it does take some liberties with it to make it more appealing to a modern audience. I loved the addition of recording Carrie in the showers and posting it online later. This is something that that is still happening in school and works very well with the story. I also loved how religion and child abuse go hand in hand with the film. I've witnessed this a lot where I grew up and nothing is more terrifying to me than organized religion. When you take those and add the iconic telekentic abilities Carrie is known for and you get a pretty fast paced film that doesn't let up once it picks up. It has great pacing, and the action really holds your attention. Finally, the film has a lot of blood, but it doesn't really give the viewer any memorable deaths. The kills use a lot of visual effects, and they happen too quickly for the viewer to truly appreciate. Overall, Carrie is another fantastic adaptation of King's work. It has an amazing cast, and the story is able to be updated without taking away from what made the original story so enjoyable. I highly recommend checking out this UHD release from Scream Factory.

Blood Creek Woodsman

Director - Joe Sherlock (Odd Noggins, Thingz)

Starring - Daren Ackerman (All American Bully, Downcast), Annie Bardonski (Meat Market, The Tunnel), and Jeremiah Benjamin (16 Bits, Hell's Coming For You)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "The bodies are piling up.  The ax is coming down"

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Joe Sherlock and Skullface Astronaut has really taken care of me the last few weeks in regards to entertaining films to review. Back around the end of September Joe was kind enough to send over a dozen or so of his films for review as I was preparing for my October horror binge. I wasn’t able to work them in at that time but since then I’ve had several Skullface Astronaut marathons. This mini marathon started with his 2013 slasher Blood Creek Woodsman. I want to thank Joe for sending this one over for Horror Society and myself to check out. 

    The film begins with a logger who confronts a co-worker for sleeping with his wife. He snaps and kills the man before going on a rampage. We then jump to a year after the events when the murders start up again. A drunk sheriff, his ex-wife, and a tabloid reporter reluctantly team up to find out who is responsible for the murders or has the Blood Creek Woodsman returned? 

      Blood Creek Woodsman is nothing like the newer films of Skullface Astronaut. The films that I watched before Blood Creek were released more recently. They embrace the wacky side of cinema along with over the top kills and busty women without their clothes. While Blood Creek Woodsman isn’t afraid of nudity, it is a little more serious in tone than the previous films I’ve reviewed. Honestly, I love the sense of humor and outlandish characters found in the newer films but there is something enjoyable about a no budget horror film that is able to keep it serious. The acting in this one is far from the worst I’ve seen but the cast does show it’s inexperience. The characters are written very well to fit the film and the cast is all in but some of the scenes are a little awkward to watch. We have wondering eyes, unenthused dialogue, and lack of emotions. As I stated, it’s not the worst I’ve seen and is enjoyable at times but there is a few scenes that will make your eyes wonder away from the screen. The story for this one is a simple slasher meets a whodunit style crime drama. The film unfolds like a traditional slasher with someone being wronged and going on a killing spree. When the kills start up again the film feels more like a cop drama which works well enough. It has solid pacing and doesn’t stretch the scene too thin. Finally, the film has several deaths you would expect from a no budget flick. A lot of creativity and ingenuity go into the scenes to get the red stuff to the viewer. They fit the film very well but don’t really stick with the viewer. Overall, Blood Creek Woodsman is a fairly solid no budget slasher that works if you have a soft spot for this type of film. Fans of indie horror should give this one a chance.

A Family Matter

Director - Richard Russell (Thewlis, Mr. Darkness)

Starring - Heather Bayles (It'll Be Okay, Powerball), James L. Edwards (Bloodletting, Dwellers), and Keith Migra (The Hunting, Life After)

Release Date - 2023

Genre - Crime/Drama

Format - Streaming (Online Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I never know what kind of film is going to be sent my way for review. While I love horror and exploitation, I still find myself reviewing sci-fi, crime dramas, thrillers, and even a few romantic comedies. Most of the time these are films released by filmmakers that I’ve built a relationship with over the years and they are branching out to other genres. Filmmaking is story telling and I respect filmmakers who are open to trying other genres. A few weeks back director Richard Russell reached out to review his newest short A Family Matter. I agreed to check it out but I knew absolutely nothing about it. Like always, I want to thank Richard for sending this one over. 

      The film follows a father and his two sons who have a woman tied and beaten in their garage. We learn that she is the ex-girlfriend of one of the sons but said something negative about his late mother. The father, upon hearing of this, brings his boys together and beats her before placing her in a shallow grave that is big enough for two. 

      A Family Matter was not what I was expecting but it wasn’t a bad short at all. In fact, I really liked it. I was expecting something along the lines of a traditional horror film. Instead, A Family Matter is more of a dark drama but it works. It was something I was not expecting and it shows that Richard Russell is a versatile filmmaker able to tackle different genres once he applies himself to it. The acting in this one is solid. I really liked the casting and it was nice to see James L. Edwards take center stage. He’s a fantastic actor and he brings some intensity to the short. The rest of the cast is just as fantastic with absolutely no weak links to be seen here. The story for this one is a little predictable but not in a bad way. The film doesn’t hide the fact that we know what is going to happen to the young lady. However, the reason it’s happening is never revealed until the last leg of the film. While it is short the film is still able to draw you in and hold your attention without wasting your time. It’s very well written and executed. Finally, this is not a bloody flick. While we do get a little blood and light make-up effects that is the extent of it. Overall, A Family Matter may not be a new short you can add to your Halloween viewing but it is something I would highly recommend checking out once the season has passed. It was a fantastic film with an amazing cast. I highly recommend it.

Warm Bodies

Director - Jonathan Levine (All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, The Night Before)

Starring - Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road, Clash of the Titans), Teresa Palmer (Lights Out, A Discovery of Witches), and John Malkovich (Con Air, Mindcage)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Romance/Comedy/Horror

Tagline - "Who say's romance is dead?"

Format - UHD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Way back in 2013 I was in a rough spot. I’ve been a fan of zombie movies for as long as I could remember but the premier of the television adaptation of The Walking Dead turned zombies into a pop culture phenomenon. After that first season I found myself overwhelmed with indie zombie flicks for review along with the dozens of moderately budgeted zombie flicks that were lining the shelves at Walmart and Target. In 2013 we had some seriously enjoyable zombie flicks but there was so many. We had a film adaptation of World War Z, Bath Salt Zombies, The Dead 2, Buck Wild, Pro wrestlers vs Zombies, and the romantic zombie comedy Warm Bodies. I actually watched Warm Bodies in theaters and remember liking it. It was a fun popcorn flick that didn’t try to reinvent the sub-genre but contribute to it. I’ve watched the film a few times since that initial theatrical viewing and still find that it holds up. A few weeks back I received the UHD release of the film for review and used this opportunity to revisit it one more time. 

     The film follows R who is a zombie that is a bit different than the others. He was able to keep a bit of his past self and often reminisces about being human. He still has an insatiable taste for human flesh but once he has fed he goes back to mundane tasks until the time has come for him to feed again. Things change for him when a group of zombies he is with attack a group of survivors savaging for medicine where he spots the beautiful Julie. He saves her from the horde of the undead and takes her back to the airliner that he calls home. Soon a relationship blossoms and when he falls in love with her he finds his heart start beating again. It’s a race again time as the survivors and the zombies continue their war as they try to stop both sides from killing each other while they have a cure for the plague. 

      When horror fans talk about zombie flicks they often mention Romero’s Dead series, Fulci’s Zombi, The Dead Next Door, and so on. They want bloody and gory zombie flicks with amazing practical effects and an overwhelming sense of dread. However, as much as I love those films I still find myself floating toward the movies that take risks with weird stories. Warm Bodies is one of the few romantic comedies that I enjoy. It doesn’t over do the romance and relies on the story to get to the point. It’s a popcorn flick with zombies and some cheap laughs that don’t really find their marks. The acting in this one is very enjoyable. Surprisingly, I’m a big fan of Nicholas Hoult. He’s been in several films that I enjoy and I look forward to his newest film Renfield. I’m also a fan of Rob Corddry. Hot Tub Time Machine was one of my go to comedies for several years and I still randomly binge Children’s Hospital. The remainder of the cast is just as great, Malkovich included. The story for this one a goofy movie with zombies falling in love with their food and saving the human race. It’s that simple and straight forward. We have a side story about a war hungry human wanting to eradicate the undead with a similar threat in the zombies with the ghouls. It’s a fun film with a fairly generic story that finds a way to work. Finally, the film relies heavily on visual effects. We get some make up effects on the normal zombies but most of the deaths and the ghouls are CGI. This will be a turn off to most horror fans but those expecting a popcorn flick will not let it ruin the experience. Overall, Warm Bodies is a cute flick for people looking to shut their brains off for an hour and a half. It’s not Dawn of the Dead or Zombi but it’s fun for what it is. Check it out

Christmas Cruelty

Director(s) - Per-Ingvar Tomren (School of the Dead, Banzai Motherfucker!) and Magne Steinsvoll (Killungard)

Starring - Eline Aasheim (Headless Entanglement), Tormod Lien (Karachi, Hotel Caesar), and Magne Steinsvoll 

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "This Christmas Santa is going postal"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     I know most horror fans look forward to October and Halloween. Hell, I do too but I’m fucking obsessed with Christmas and this has only been amplified since I’ve started a family. I love decorating, going for drives to look at all the Christmas lights, and more importantly, the Christmas themed horror films. If you ask me, I’ll be completely honest with you and say that there is not enough Christmas horror films out there. With that being said, not every Christmas horror flick I review is good. Case in point is the 2013 Norwegian horror film Christmas Cruelty. I remember seeing this one make it’s rounds in the horror groups but I never wanted to fork out the absurd amount of money for a DVD release and my patience paid off. Unearthed Films recently put the film out on blu and my friends over at MVD were kind enough to send a review copy my way. 

    The film follows a group of young adults who prepare to party during the holiday season. What they don’t know is that there is another man preparing for the holiday who has a different way of celebrating the holiday which includes rape and bloodshed. 

      I don’t know if reviewing horror titles every day for the last 10 years, along with watching them every day for two some odd years, has desensitized me or Christmas Cruelty is not as brutal as I was led to believe. The last twenty minutes or so was graphic and extremely enjoyable but I’ve seen movies that are far worse and done better. The acting in this one was pretty solid. Reading a movie does take away from the impact but I was able to keep pace with the subtitles and enjoy the cast. The characters are fairly generic, but the cast really does go all in. It would have been a lot more enjoyable and easier to pay attention if the characters did have a bit more energy and personality. The story for this one is so fucking simple, yet it fails to pull it all together into something that you can enjoy year after year as the temperatures drop. A group of twenty-somethings or young adults getting together to party for Christmas before a maniac in a Santa costume arrives to cause havoc is nothing new nor is it something, we haven’t seen at least a dozen times over the last 30 to 40 years. However, it still has potential to be something memorable especially if it goes the extreme route… which I don’t think it actually did. The baby in the bouncy with the circular saw was funny but extremely cheap and not effective at all. The last twenty minutes were more action packed but the hour or so of dialogue heavy scenes with very little story progression. It moves at a snail’s pace through the first hour before moving to the faster paced ending that delivers the bang. Finally, the film has some decent effects for the most part but a few of them were rather funny rather it was intentional or not. I liked the use of practical effects for the most part but the scene with the baby was just so goofy and out of place that it threw the tone of the film off. Overall, Christmas Cruelty is a film that ends with a fucking bang but the hour or so build up doesn’t do it any favors. I wanted to enjoy this one but the dead pan scenes we get for 60 minutes made me almost turn it off several times. If you want some fun gore I recommend fast forwarding through most of this one.

Daisy Derkins, Dogsitter of the Damned

Director - Mark Mackner (Evil Brew, Daisy Derkins and the Dinosaur Apocalypse)

Starring - Susanna D'Arcy (The Embalmo the Clown Show, Always from Darkness), Annamarie Ruggiero (St. Blacktrick, Midnight Show), Christine Fisler (Alpha Girls, 3 Poisons)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Horror/Comedy

Tagline - "Sit.  Stay.  Play dead"

Format - DVD (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

       I've uncovered a bunch of wild indie horror flicks over the last few years just from browsing hashtags on Instagram and Twitter.  When you sort through the busty goth girls and their Scream VHS pics you can find some fun indie films that would typically go unnoticed.  Several months back I found a post from indie filmmaker for the re-release of his 2013 horror comedy Daisy Derkins, Dogsitter of the Damned.  I fucking love weird and strange indie releases so I was quick to search for a copy.  I found it on oldies.com which seems to be the exclusive retailer for Alpha Video who is handling this release.  I snagged it, along with some other Alpha Video releases, and decided to finally check it out. 

     The film follows Daisy Derkins (D'Arcy) who is hired to dog sit for a mysterious man.  Uncomfortable in the home of the mysterious man, she quickly calls her friends to come over and sit with her when news of a famed serial killer has escaped prison.  Things take a predictable turn when the girls break out an Ouija board which only makes matters even worse.

    I knew Daisy Derkins, Dogsitter of the Damned wasn't going to become my favorite indie movie but I knew it was going to be fun as fuck.  In fact, I really enjoyed it and look forward to checking out Mackner's other films including his two other Daisy Derkins films.  The acting in this one far from perfect but it wasn't bad.  I liked the energy the cast brought to their scenes along with the characters personalities.  The cast did lack experience but was still able to deliver some memorable performances.  The story for this one is one is very imaginative and different than your normal indie horror flick.  Mackner doesn't succumb to trends and delivers a movie with a fun and out their story that will hold your attention from beginning to end.  We have a giant, man-sized dog, a serial killer on the loose, a horror YouTube show, beautiful women, and an Ouija board.  All this comes together to make a messy yet entertaining film that doesn't overcomplicate things.  It's a movie that you can follow even if you are paying half attention to it but doesn't underwhelm the viewer either.  It's cheap fun for genre fans.  With that being said, some of the scenes do drag on a little too long but they don't really take away from the overall film.  Finally, the film has some blood and minimal practical effects but a few of the gags actually looked cool.  The real highlight of the film is the dog costume which was funny but surprisingly well done considering the film's budget.  Overall, Daisy Derkings, Dogsitter of the Damned was a fun no budget indie horror comedy with a story that will stick with you sometime after watching it.  It's not perfect but it does entertain.  

Patrick: Evil Awakens

Director - Mark Hartley (Machete Maidens Unleashed, Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films)

Starring - Sharni Vinson (You're Next, House of Willow Street), Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under, Blow), and Charles Dance (Game of Thrones, Last Action Hero)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Horror/Sci-Fi

Tagline - "The killer in a coma returns"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Remakes have a stigma about them with a lot of movie goers actively bashing them with little to no regard of how good the movie actually is.  I look at remakes as a new take on a story that I already enjoy.  Honestly, I've liked a lot of remakes over the years and always look at them with optimism.  Several year ago I snagged a DVD copy of the Patrick remake Patrick: Evil Awakens.  It was a fun remake that delivered on the atmosphere and scenery but lacked the menacing title character.  When Umbrella announced the Patrick double feature release I couldn't wait to revisit both of those.  I quickly reached out to them and they were kind enough to send a copy my way.  

     The film follows a nurse that hired on at an old clinic that specializes in comatose patients.  Among the patients is Patrick who the young nurse becomes close to.  After spending time with him she suspects that he is actually able to communicate and is aware of what is going on around him.  However, the closer she gets to him the more she uncovers strange behavior from him along with peculiar goings on.  Soon she realizes that the experiments the demented doctor has been running on the comatose patients has unlocked powers within Patrick and he is using them to keep people away from her with murderous intent.  

     Patrick: Evil Awakens follows in a line of remakes that deliver an almost exact retelling of the original.  The most infamous of these remakes is the Psycho remake starring Vince Vaughn.  I enjoyed PEA and the much darker tone that the film delivers but it does lack in a few other aspects.  The acting in this one is surprisingly well done.  I'm a huge fan of Six Feet Under so it was great seeing Rachel Griffiths in a genre film.  She does a great job at reimaging the character of the bitchy head nurse that has a cold shoulder for our protagonist.  It was also great seeing Charles Dance in another film.  I know a lot of our readers will recognize him for his role in Game of Thrones but as a kid born on the tail end of the 80s and grew up in the 90s he will always be Benedict from Last Action Hero.  I also enjoyed Sharni Vinson as well.  She does a great job at giving her character a lot of the same traits as the original performance from Susan Penhaligon but with a more modern spin.  The supporting cast is solid enough but these three really carry the film.  My biggest complaint with the acting is how Patrick is not as eerie or menacing like the original Patrick.  His bug eyed stare really made me feel uncomfortable while this Patrick just blends into the background.   The story for this one is a somewhat modern take on the original tale but it was a more dark and sinister setting.  The atmosphere in this one is a much chilling and darker which that pays tribute to the gothic inspired horror tales of the late 60s and 70s.  It reminded a lot of the remake of House on Haunted Hill where the film location is almost a part of the cast.  I loved that but it did put the character of Patrick to the back of the story while turning the doctor into the antagonist.  Finally, this one has some blood with some great effects and a lot of fantastic props.  The film does dial it up more in the effects department compared to the first film.  We don't get anything that really stands out but I did enjoy the special effects.  Overall, Patrick: Evil Awakens is a solid remake and a great film.  This is one I would recommend regardless if you had seen the original or not.  It's a fun watch especially if you are looking for a late night horror flick.  You can't really go wrong with this double feature from Umbrella Entertainment.  

All Babe Network

Director - Dean McKendrick (Atomic Hotel Erotica, Intergalactic Swingers)

Starring - Mary Carey (Lust in Space, College Coeds vs Zombie Housewives), Christine Nguyen (Attack of the Killer Donuts, The Coed and the Zombie Stoner), and Jazy Berlin (3-Headed Shark Attack, Erotic Vampires in Beverly Hills)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     Horror fans are so funny.  I've been writing reviews for a decade now and eight of those years have been spent with Horror Society.  During that time I've reviewed more horror titles than I can count along with an assortment of non-genre releases.  Horror Society has some of the best readers on the internet but I've always found it odd and very funny that my horror reviews rarely get noticed but when I review something sleazy I find it becoming popular on the site for a short time.  Sometimes these reviews will garner several thousands of views in a short period of time.  While some people feel the need to comment things like "this isn't horror" a lot of you read the article and then move on to the next sleazy article on the site.  Sex sells and even horror fans are buying.  When Retromedia announced the 30 day pre-order on Makeflix for their double feature Bikini Jones and All Babe Network I was quick to jump on it.  Bikini Jones was a bit of a disappointment but All Babe Network was worth the price.

     The film follows a struggling television station that is in need of trimming some fat so to speak when the manger of the station decides to target the host of a show called Hoax Hunter.  She tells him to pick up his ratings or face termination.  He works with his extremely attractive girlfriend to make the show look better but the manager of the station continues to sabotage his show.  One last effort to raise ratings, he does a live Bigfoot hunting segment and when his girlfriend goes topless on the air he finds his ratings skyrocketing.

      I went into All Babe Network with an open mind and a prayer that the movie was somewhat entertaining.  I was surprised to see just how much I enjoyed this one.  It reminded me of a sleazy parody of a movie you would find that was direct to video in the mid-90s.  It was so goofy and sexy.  It was a lot of fun but I don't see myself watching this one again.  The acting in this one is exactly what you would expect from a cast consisting mostly of adult film stars and Penthouse models.  The characters are fun, nice to look at, but you don't really take anything away from the film.  The story for this one reminded me a lot of movies like Chairman of the Board and VHF meets softcore.  We follow a goofy guy who is struggling to hold his job while softcore sex scenes pop up sporadically here and there.  Honestly, I had a lot of fun with it.  Finally, we get a cheap bigfoot costume but that's the extent of the effects in this one.  However, if the female form is more your speed then you are in luck.  Overall, All Babes Network is a few cheap laughs and a lot of skin.  It entertains especially if you are in a sleazy mood but don't expect a life changing experience.  

The Walking Dead: A Hardcore Parody

Director(s) - Joanna Angel (A Trailer Park Taboo, Cindy Queen of Hell) and Tommy Pistol (The Gruesome Death of Tommy Pistol, Grindsploitation)

Starring - Tommy Pistol, Joanna Angel, and Tommy Gunn (Deadpool XXX, Daughter Swap)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Horror

Format - Streaming

Rating (out of 5):

     In 2010 The Walking Dead premiered on AMC and skyrocketed zombies into pop culture in a way that was never seen before.  Since then the show has spawned several web-series and a spinoff, Fear the Walking Dead.  I found myself burned out with the whole zombie crazy and soon dodged TWF around season four or five.  I occasionally watch a zombie flick here or there but TWD really took the spark out of them for me.  Back around 2013 Burning Angel made a parody of TWD.  Their horror porn flicks before this one are absolutely fantastic.  Their Evil Dead parody, Evil Head, is one I always recommend to horror fans.  I never got around to checking this one out but after watching Porn of the Dead I decided it was time to spin it for my Sleazy Sunday series.  

     The film follows Rick, his son and wife, and other survivors as they fight and fuck their way through the begining stages of a zombie apocalypse.

     Burning Angel brings a lot of humor, horror, and sex to their horror parodies.  They are usually fun while capturing what makes the original so much enjoyable.  Re-Penetrator, Evil Head, and The XXXorcist were all well made porn parodies that paid tribute to the original while paroding it.  The Walking Dead: A Hardcore Parody was no exception.  It didn't have that gritty look that TWD is known for but it had the humor and blood that we expect from a Burning Angel production.  The acting in this one is a little on the goofy side.  Burning Angel took the parody aspect more seriously in this production than the previous films.  The cast delivers some comical performances before the sex scenes.  The sex scenes are, obviously, where they deliver what they are known for.  The story for this one is pretty much the first couple episodes of TWD mashed together.  However, when the group is not killing the zombies they fuck them.  It was funny and entertaining but the humor and story ran it's course before the hour mark.  Once we get 40 or 50 minutes I found myself ready to move on to the next movie.  There was no need for this one to be as long as it was.  Finally, the film has plenty of bloody.  Most of the deaths were done by gunshot but they still looked very good.  The make-up effects were good as well.  The zombies look alright but nothing that stands out.  Overall, The Walking Dead: A Hardcore Parody is a sleazy and highly entertaining porn parody.  I'm still sick of zombies in pop culture but this one was just enough humor to tit ratio to make it enjoyable.  Check it out because you will not be disappointed.  

Game of Thrones: Season Three

Creator(s) - David Benioff (Troy, 25th Hour) and D. B. Weiss (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia)

Starring - Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Gods of Egypt, The Silencing), Liam Cunningham (Clash of the Titans, Doctor Who), and Jerome Flynn (Ripper Street, Black Mirror)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Fantasy/Action

Tagline - "Fear cuts deeper than swords"

Format - 4K Ultra HD (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     If it was up to me I wouldn't continue with Game of Thrones after the second season.  The first two seasons were good but for the length of time I put into the entire season I was expecting so much more.  However, the fact that I was sent the entire series for review means I had to keep going and I'm glad I did.  Season three was a vast improvement over the first two seasons with a much richer story to follow.  I'm glad I didn't dip out when I wanted to and stuck with it.

     This season follows the 7 kingdoms as war still rages on for the kingship.  While different self-proclaimed kings fight for the iron throne, the rangers in the north uncover a massive army beyond the wall looking to attack the 7 kingdoms.  

     I was expecting more of the same with season three but with this season we are introduced to a little more story and this time it has some much darker elements.  I, in particularly, enjoyed the wildlings and walkers aspect and I very much look forward to seeing more of them in future seasons.  The acting in this one is exactly what I would expect from the previous seasons.  The casting in this show is absolutely amazing and the characters are some of the best written characters in television history.  We do get a few additional characters introduced and some lost but the consistency is mind blowing.  The story for this one really drives home the dark and troubling times that slowly builds up in the first two seasons.  I really enjoyed how this season really amps up the action while diving further into the North mythology that was lightly discussed in previous seasons.  The pacing is more fluid this time around with action breaking up the dialogue heavy scenes.  Finally, this show wouldn't be as much fun if it wasn't for the blood and light gore.  The effects work for what they are but horror fans have seen much more depravity on camera.  Overall, Season three is the best season so far and one that really sold me on the series.  I really look forward to season four now.  

Stoinky Beach

Director - Chris Seaver (The Weirdsies, Paranormal Investigation Agency)

Starring - Alec Lambert (The VelociPastor, Sexsquatch), Clint Kelly (Evil Night, WNUF Halloween Special), and Josh Suire (Happy Helladays, Ski Wolf)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Comedy

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) 

Rating (out of 5):

     I've been a fan of Chris Seaver for several years now.  I started buying his movies from his Warlock Home Video store front about 10 years ago and I never looked back.  Everytime he announces something new I immediately message him trying to get the details.  I may not love all his films but I can't deny how fun they are.  Earlier in the year he released the Stoinky Saga on blu.  I had his DVD release of Stoinky Beach so I needed to grab this one for the additional content.  I reached out to him and quickly snagged a copy.  When it arrived I noticed that one of the films was A Stoinkmare on Halloween Street.  I decided then to hold off until October before I dive into the set.  

     The film follows a young man who was just dumped by his girlfriend.  His friends decide that the best cure for a broken heart is to visit Stoinky Beach where all the babes are ready for some mushroom tips in the sugarwalls.  However, his ex and her friends also decide to go to Stoinky Beach.  The two groups try to score but fails when they are greeted by a visitor from another world who tries to convince the two love birds to get back together becaus the world relies on love.

     Chris Seaver is a filmmaker that is always reinventing himself with different labels and characters.  His Low Budget Pictures created some of his most iconic characters like Teenape and Bonejack.  He then brought out the Warlock mascot with his Warlock Home Video label.  This is hands down my favorite era of Seavers.  I've seen most of the films from this time with the exception of two.  Stoinky Beach and The Dingleberries are the two films I had not seen.  Stoinky looked like a movie that I would really enjoy and I was right.  It was definitely fun and did a great job at brining those 80s teen sex comedies to no budget land.  The acting in this one is fun.  The cast, though their imdb pages are lacking, have been in several films.  They all are having fun and that transfers very well on camera.  The characters are carried over from many of the other Warlock Home Video films and the cast does a great job with them.  The story, though restricted by budget, does a great job at trying to capture that 80s teen sex comdey that many of grew up watching.  It was fun but does drag on in some of the scenes while others struggle to set up the story and the characters.  Seaver is known for his rushed shoots and this is clearly one of the cases.  Finally, if you want blood and gore you will miss out here.  The film is comedy more than anything else.  Overall, Stoinky Beach is a funny and cheap comedy that has that Warlock Home Video charm and that 80s humor.  It is well worth a watch.  

The Purge

Director - James DeMonaco (The Purge: Anarchy, The Purge: Election Year)

Starring - Ethan Hawke (Daybreakers, Sinister), Lena Headey (Game of Thrones, Dredd), and Max Burkholder (Babysitter, Children of the Corn)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Survive the night"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     You wouldn't know it but I review almost every horror movie I watch unless it's a movie I've reviewed before.  The revisit reviews are for movies I reviewed before and they recently received a remastered re-release.  I have the urge to review a movie I've watched even if I watch a horror movie just for fun.  Several years back I watched The Purge as I approached Halloween.  For some reason I did not review it then when first saw.  Which, if I would have then, it would have received a higher score.  A few days back I was sent over the Blumhouse Horror blu set to review and the first film in the set is the 2013 flick that started it all, The Purge.  

     The film takes place during a time when America has an annual purge which is 12 hours where crime is legal including murder.  Many families have paid a large sum to have their home retrofitted with a system that will protect them during the purge.  One of the salesmen has made a fortune from selling these systems to their neighbors which has caused some jealously among them.  When the purge commences he finds his children becoming rebellious and not listening to his warnings.  This opens them up to a night of havoc as their neighbors, a group of spoiled youths, and a blood-thirsty teenager turns their quiet evening into a night of mayhem.  

     The first Purge film did great things.  It kickstarted a modern horror franchise that inspired several sequels, a prequel, and even a television series.  Also, it questionably made genre fans start taking Blumhouse seriously.  I was really impressed with The Purge upon my first viewing but after giving it a revisit I found myself enjoying it but not as much as I once did.  The movie does bring about an interesting concept but it also brings about some rather goofy moments that doesn't fit the overall tone of the film.  The acting in this one is uneven but some of the cast delivers some rather impressive moments.  Hawke and Headey was a bit unimpressive believe it or not.  Their characters were rather weak and they did not deliver a memorable performance.  With that being said, several of the supporting cast delivered some rock solid performances and the characters they portrayed made the film.  The story for this one is an interesting one but it does offer up way too many "what if" scenarios than it could answer.  With that being said, it's enjoyable for a bigger budget pop corn horror flick.  Those looking for a bit of mindless fun will really enjoy it but if you are the kind of person that overthinks everything you will find yourself being disappointed.  Finally, the film has some blood.  The kills are mostly gunshots and the like but the blood looks great and the gags are damn near flawless.  Overall, The Purge is a solid flick but is far from perfect.  If you are looking for something with a moderate budget and a nice polish you will enjoy this one.  

Die Die Delta Pi (Revisited)

Director(s) - Sean Donohue (Dead Residence, Death-Scort Service) and Chris Leto (Crazy Lake, The Housewife Slasher)

Starring - Aaron J. Nelson (Theatre of the Deranged II, Terror Talk), Krystal Pixie Adams (Earth Girls are Sleazy, Cannibal Claus), and Andrea Alfonso (Scream Dreams 2, The Housewife Slasher)

Release Date - 2013

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Its pledge week and all the girls of Delta Pi are just rushing to die"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     Several years ago I was lucky enough to review the Sean Donohue and Chris Leto directed slasher Die Die Delta Pi.  I remember really enjoying it for what it was and often recommended it to fans looking for indie slashers with that 80s flair.  It has been a few years since I first saw this one and it was about time I revisited it.  Sean recently contacted me to review the new blu release of the film with some additional special features..and boy are those special features entertaining.  Once again I want to thank Sean for sending this one over.

     The film follows a sorority during rush week in 1986 when hazing takes a grizzly turn.  One of the sorority's more timid rushes is accidentally knocked into the fire.  We fast forward to now and the sorority sisters of Delta Pi are being hunted one by one by an unknown killer with a vendetta.  

     I love so many different sub-genres in horror but I will always be a slasher fan.  I grew up renting them from the local video store and as I got older indie filmmakers started paying tribute to these unforgettable slashers.  Sean Donohue and Chris Leto did a fantastic job with this no budget throwback.  The acting in this one is still uneven to me.  Some of the characters are way more entertaining than others while some of the cast doesn't seem that dedicated to their role.  Which, while I'm on the topic, is one of the new special features on the blu where one of the ladies of the film has a meltdown on set because she couldn't remember her lines.  This is audio only but still highly entertaining.  The story for this one is simple and borrows heavily from the frat/sorority slashers from the mid to late 80s.  We follow a sorority where something tragic happened sometime ago and now it is coming back to bite them in the ass.  Nothing really new here but it's not about the destination but the ride.  DDDP doesn't try to bring something new to the table but makes it sleazier...which it does.  It's fun and works nicely as a double feature with other slashers from the period.  Finally, the film has kills straight from the slasher textbook.  The kills are fun and the effects are solid.  With that being said, the kills fit the film which is something I always look forward to.  Overall, Die Die Delta Pi is a fun and sleazy throwback to classic 80s slashers with plenty of boobs and blood.  The film quality is not noticeable over the DVD.  However, there is one added a special feature that really makes this one a must have for fans of indie slashers.  Check it out now on blu from Gatorblade Films.  

Lust of the Dead 3

Director - Maoyuki Tomomatsu (Erotibot, Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl)
Starring - Asami (RoboGeisha, St. Zombie Girls' High School), Iona (Zombie TV, Brutal), and Yui Aikawa (Missing 55, Lust of the Zombie)
Release Date - 2013
Genre - Horror/Comedy
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection)

Rating (out of 5):

     I hate when I come across a series of films I had never seen before and when I toss them in I find myself not liking them.  I can't stand starting a series of films and not finishing them.  When I sit down with one I have to watch them all.  Sadly, when I tossed in Lust of the Dead I wasn't expecting to come across a series of films that was almost unwatchable.  The first two films in the series was a rough watch and the third and final film on the blu was standing in my way to freedom.  I really wanted to like this series but I had extremely low expectations for the third film.

     The film, once again, follows a group of female survivors who have barricaded themselves inside of a compound while the rest of the city is under siege by men infected with a virus that turns them into raping and flesh eating fiends.  While trying to find a cure they accidentally bring in a man that showed no signs of infection.  Later he turns and starts raping his wife and compromises the compound from the inside while the horde of zombies and uninfected men who think they are superior to women try to get in.

     I was ready to turn my television off before I tossed in the third film.  I was absolutely miserable before I tossed this one in and this one did not help matters any.  This one, like the previous film, takes the same exact story and gives it right back to the viewer with very little changes.  The acting in this one is, as you already guessed, very weak and not that entertaining.  The cast does come to life during the nude scenes but aside from that they sizzle and fade out.  I assume that the cast was getting paid in peanuts because no one is putting forth any real effort.  The story for this one is also lacking.  The movie takes the story from the first two films and just moves it a little further.  Doesn't really give the viewer something new.  It may be enjoyable if you put time in between each viewing but if you binged these like I did you will be very disappointed.  I hate seeing a series of films recycle the same story instead of building upon it.  Finally, this one follows the first two in delivering some decent practical effects along with some below par make-up effects.  The effects team is not very consistent. The same can be said for the visual effects.  Some are pretty decent but others just feel rushed so the film can be finished.  Overall, Lust of the Dead 3 is another major miss in a series that could be highly entertaining.  The third entry has no energy and creativity which creates another difficult film to sit through.  Skip it.